Philadelphia crime family

Mafia family based in Philadelphia

Criminal organization

The Philadelphia crime family, also known as the Bruno–Scarfo crime family,^[19] the Philadelphia–Atlantic City crime family,^[20] the Philadelphia Mafia,^[21][22] the Philly Mafia,^[23][24][25] or the Philadelphia–South Jersey Mafia,^[26][27][28] is an Italian-American Mafia crime family based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Formed and based in South Philadelphia, the criminal organization primarily operates in Philadelphia and the Greater Philadelphia metropolitan area, including South Jersey.^{[29][30][31][32]} The family is notorious for its violence, its succession of violent bosses, and multiple mob wars.

Operating as the Bruno crime family under the 21-year reign of boss Angelo Bruno (1959–1980), the family enjoyed an era of peace and prosperity.^[33][34] A complex dispute involving disgruntled subordinates and territory claims by New York's Genovese crime family led to Bruno's murder in 1980. The killing marked the beginning of years of internal violence for control of the Philadelphia family, leading to a gradual decline in the family's stability.

Bruno was succeeded as boss by his loyal friend, Philip "The Chicken Man" Testa; however, within a year of Bruno's murder, Testa was also murdered, killed in a nail bomb explosion in 1981. When the dust settled from Bruno and Testa's deaths, Nicodemo "Little Nicky" Scarfo emerged as boss of the crime family. During Scarfo's reign, the family was known as the Scarfo crime family.^{[35][22][26][27][28][34][36][37]}‹The template Excessive citations inline is being considered for deletion.› ^{[excessive citations]} Scarfo's 10-year reign saw the family grow in power, but also become highly dysfunctional. Unlike Bruno, Scarfo was infamous for his short temper and penchant for violence. Scarfo increasingly involved the family in narcotics trafficking and demanded that all criminals pay a street tax for operating in his territory. Scarfo also did not hesitate to order people murdered over moderate disputes. The dramatic rise in violence attracted increased attention from the FBI, Pennsylvania State Police and New Jersey State Police. Increased violence and law enforcement prosecutions also convinced several mobsters to cooperate with the government in order to escape death or prison. Scarfo's downfall came in 1988, when he and most of his top allies were arrested and sentenced to long prison terms.

With Scarfo's imprisonment, the Mafia hierarchy was convinced that Scarfo was unfit for the position of boss. Once Scarfo was deposed due to rising tensions within the family, John Stanfa was named boss of the Philadelphia family in 1991. A faction of young mobsters led by Joey Merlino disputed Stanfa's ascension, however, launching another war in the family by 1992.

The war ended in 1994, when Stanfa and most of his supporters were arrested by the FBI, though less intensified fighting continued until 1996 and began to involve violence from outside the family until the early 2000s. Merlino subsequently took control of the family and allegedly ran the family to varying degrees for the following two decades. The Philadelphia family has been weakened over the past 30 years due to internal violence, government turncoats, and law enforcement action following the passage of the RICO Act. Despite this, the family still remains one of the most active and powerful Mafia groups in the United States.

History

Beginnings

In the early 20th century, several Italian immigrant and Italian-American street gangs in South Philadelphia formed what eventually became the Philadelphia crime family. Salvatore Sabella was the first leader of the group that would later bear his name. They busied themselves with bootlegging, extortion, loansharking, and illegal gambling, and it was during the Prohibition era that Sabella and his crew were recognized as members of the wider Sicilian crime syndicate of New York City and Chicago. Sabella retired in late 1931.

First Philadelphia Mafia War

After Sabella's retirement, two of his top lieutenants, John Avena and Giuseppe Dovi, began a five-year war for control of the family. Avena was murdered by members of his own faction on August 17, 1936, and Joseph "Joe Bruno" Dovi became boss of the Philadelphia family.

Dovi had good connections with the Chicago Outfit and the Five Families of New York City, and he expanded operations outside of South Philadelphia to the greater Philadelphia area, including Atlantic City, New Jersey and other parts of South Jersey. Narcotics, illegal gambling, loansharking, and extortion activities provided the family's income, and connections to the Genovese and Gambino crime families grew throughout the 1930s and early 1940s.

On October 22, 1946, Dovi died of natural causes at a New York City hospital, and Giuseppe “Joseph” Ida was appointed by the Commission to run the Philadelphia family and its rackets.

Vito Genovese

Joe Ida ran the family throughout the 1940s and early 1950s. Ida and the Philadelphia organization were heavily influenced by the bosses of the Five Families, especially the Genovese crime family, which sought to control the Philadelphia crime family. Vito Genovese, an underboss at the time, assumed control of what would become the Genovese crime family in 1956 after the shooting of former boss Frank Costello, who subsequently retired due to illness.

As the Philadelphia family gained more power in Atlantic City and South Jersey, it was viewed merely as a Genovese faction due to the Genoveses' substantial amount of influence over the Philadelphia family at the time. After a 1956 Commission meeting, however, the crime families of Philadelphia and Detroit, headed by Giuseppe “Joseph” Ida and Giuseppe “Joseph” Zerilli respectively, were added to The Commission, establishing the Philadelphia crime family as its own organization independent of control by New York crime families.^[38]

Ida and his underboss Dominick Olivetto were present during the Apalachin meeting in 1957 with roughly 100 other top mobsters. The meeting was raided by U.S. law enforcement, and over 60 mafiosi were arrested and indicted for association with known organized crime members. Ida was named in the indictment and fled to Sicily not long after the meeting, leaving Antonio "Mr. Migs" Pollina as acting boss in Ida's absence.

Angelo Bruno

After Ida retired in 1959, and Pollina was demoted, Angelo Bruno was appointed by the Commission to run the Philadelphia family. Bruno, the first boss of Philadelphia with an influential seat on the Commission, was born in Sicily and was a close ally of Carlo Gambino, solidifying his position as leader of the Philadelphia Mafia. Bruno used his contacts and his own business mind to maintain respect and power among other Mafia bosses in the country. He expanded the family's profit and operations in Atlantic City, which, due in part to its location within the Philadelphia metro area, had naturally become known as the Philadelphia family's turf. Bruno himself avoided the intense media and law enforcement scrutiny and kept violence down. He spent almost three years in prison for refusing to testify at a 1970 hearing on organized crime in the state of New Jersey. After his release, he spent some time in Italy before returning to the United States in 1977.^[39]

Bruno had a reputation for seeking peaceful solutions to family issues instead of violence.^[40] He was sometimes referred to as the "Gentle Don" due to his apparent reluctance to resort to violence or murder if other means of conflict resolution among family members were available, though he had no strong aversion to violence outside of the family. While he preferred negotiation, intimidation, and persuasion or coercion, he generally avoided, if possible, certain violent tactics for pragmatic reasons; mostly, he believed that excessive violence would bring police attention, disrupt cohesion among his ranks, and jeopardize his illegal businesses and ties with ostensibly legitimate businesses and politicians. Bruno oversaw the family's gambling syndicate and preferred more traditional operations such as labor racketeering and union infiltration, extortion and protection rackets, loan sharking, numbers games, and other illegal gambling operations, including infiltrating legitimate businesses. Outside of most family issues, however, violence was still the modus operandi of the Philly Mafia; by the late 1960s, the Philadelphia crime family used violence and intimidation to control various unions in the food and service industry such as Local 54 of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union. The crime family plundered the local's health and welfare funds and used its control to extort money from bars and restaurants.^[40] Family members owned or had a controlling interest in many restaurants, bars, and social clubs throughout the Philadelphia/South Jersey area.^[41] During the early 1960s, the Philadelphia family was officially recognized as the Bruno family.

Bruno focused mostly on low risk crimes and gave his subordinates autonomy as long as he received a share of the profits. He prohibited any of his men from getting involved in narcotics trafficking, fearing the long prison sentences that drug trafficking charges could bring. Many of his men disagreed with this decision, seeing the large profits that could be made. Some mobsters, like Philip Testa,^[11] Antonio Caponigro,^[11] Harry Riccobene^[42] and Raymond Martorano, ran drug trafficking operations clandestinely without Bruno's knowledge. His men were further angered because Bruno accepted money from John Gambino in order to allow the Gambino crime family to sell heroin on Philadelphia family turf in South Jersey.

For decades, the Mafia controlled criminal rackets in Philadelphia's African-American neighborhoods, financing black numbers operations and supplying heroin to black drug dealers. In 1970, Samuel Christian and other African-American organized crime figures formed the Black Mafia to take control of illegal activities in the black neighborhoods of Philadelphia from the Mafia, a venture which was partially successful. After the Black Mafia began extorting Mafia operatives in African-American areas, Bruno eventually acquiesced control of some gambling rackets which had historically been dominated by Italian-American mobsters. As per the agreement, black gangsters were required to pay a "street tax" to the Mafia in order to engage in the rackets. The Black Mafia became defunct as a result of a string of convictions and internal killings during the mid-1970s.^[18]

Bruno also faced pressure from New York's Five Families to let them have a cut of the business in Atlantic City, a Philadelphia Mafia-controlled city that was at the time transitioning from a city in decline to a gambling den. Following its early 20th-century heyday as a respected resort town, Atlantic City had been suffering from a sharp decline in the decades prior to the 1970s. With the introduction of legalized casino gambling in 1977, Atlantic City once again became particularly desired turf for organized crime. However, Atlantic City had long been reckoned as a fief of the Philadelphia family. Under longstanding Mafia rules, the Five Families could only come into Atlantic City with the Philadelphia family's permission–something Bruno was unwilling to give.

On October 15, 1976, Carlo Gambino died of a heart attack. With Gambino gone, Bruno lost his most important ally in the underworld.^[39] Many of Bruno's subordinates felt that they were missing out on money because of Bruno's old-fashioned and content ways. His consigliere Antonio Caponigro, who hoped to expand the family's drug operations and was heavily involved in the drug trade largely unbeknownst to and against the wishes of Bruno, approached Genovese family boss Frank Tieri in order to seek the Commission's permission to kill Bruno and take over the crime family. Tieri, sensing an opportunity to take Caponigro's North Jersey gambling operation and set up operations in Atlantic City, lied to Caponigro and told him he had the Commission's support.^[43] On March 21, 1980, Bruno was shot in the back of the head while in his car in South Philadelphia by a gunman working for Caponigro.^[44] That April, Caponigro visited New York City under the assumption that he was going to be confirmed as boss. Instead, he was tortured and murdered for killing a Commission member without permission.^[45] Caponigro's co-conspirators Frank Sindone, Alfred Salerno, and John Simone were also murdered for killing a mob boss without the permission of the Commission.

Second Philadelphia Mafia War (1980–84)

An FBI photo of Nicodemo Scarfo

Beginning with Bruno's murder in 1980 and the subsequent murder of Caponigro and his co-conspirators, a violent struggle for power erupted within the Philadelphia Mafia. Bruno's successor, his former underboss Philip Testa, lasted just under a year as the boss of the family before he was killed by a nail bomb under his front porch on March 15, 1981. Testa's murder was orchestrated by Frank Narducci in yet another attempt to take control of the family.^[46] Peter Casella and Nicodemo "Little Nicky" Scarfo, the late Testa's underboss and consigliere respectively, were both vying to take over the family. Violence between the two factions ensued. Scarfo was close with Genovese family consigliere Louis "Bobby" Manna and approached the Genovese hierarchy with his suspicions that Narducci and Casella orchestrated Testa's murder. The Genovese family set up a meeting with Scarfo and Casella, where Casella confessed that Narducci killed Testa so that they could take over the family. Narducci was killed and Casella was banished from the Mob and fled to Florida, leaving Scarfo the major candidate for boss of the family. However, the war continued in spite of, or because of, Scarfo's apparent nomination to boss.

Nicodemo Scarfo was a powerful Bruno crime family mobster who operated mostly in Atlantic City, New Jersey prior to his accession to boss. Atlantic City witnessed an economic boom after enacting measures allowing casino gambling in the late 1970s. Scarfo was able to expand his power base by infiltrating the expanding construction and service industries in Atlantic City. Despite Atlantic City being turf of the Philadelphia Mafia, Scarfo let the Commission and New York families operate in Atlantic City under his discretion in return for their support for him as boss. Scarfo named Salvatore "Chuckie" Merlino as his underboss and Frank Monte as his consigliere. Scarfo demoted Bruno's mob captains and replaced them with Phil Leonetti, Lawrence "Yogi" Merlino and Joseph "Chickie" Ciancaglini Sr., leading to further Mafia warring from disgruntled soldiers who were formerly well-situated under Bruno and Testa's reign but passed over by Scarfo, as well as from Philly Mafia soldiers in South Jersey who were angry that Scarfo was allowing New York Mafia gangsters to operate in Atlantic City. Scarfo eventually emerged triumphant despite considerable violent opposition and multiple murders.

The last person to stand in Scarfo's way was the well-respected, long-time Philadelphia crime family mobster and made man, Harry Riccobene. Believing that Scarfo was an unfit and greedy boss, Riccobene refused to pay his tribute to Scarfo. While Angelo Bruno apparently never asked Riccobene for a regular or unreasonable share of his illicit profits, Scarfo demanded a typical "kick up" tribute, which angered Riccobene, as he did not view Scarfo as a legitimate or appropriate successor to the position of boss.^[47] With Scarfo off the street serving a brief prison term in Texas, the "Riccobene War" ensued between 1982 and 1984 as part of the larger Second Philadelphia Mafia War in the 1980s. The Scarfo faction was able to kill three of Riccobene's men.^[40] The Riccobene faction was able to kill Scarfo's consigliere Frank Monte, while Riccobene himself survived two attempts on his life. In 1984, the two gunmen in the Monte murder, along with Riccobene's brother, were arrested and agreed to cooperate with authorities. They testified at trial that Riccobene ordered Monte's murder. Riccobene was convicted and sentenced to life in prison, ending the war.

"Little Nicky" Scarfo's reign (1981–1991)

An FBI photo of the Philly Mob congregating, including Phil Leonetti, Joey Pungitore, Philip Narducci, and Nicholas Milano

Salvatore Testa, gunned down in Gloucester Township, New Jersey, September 14, 1984, on orders from Philly Mob Boss Nicodemo Scarfo

When Nicodemo Scarfo became Boss, he wanted to unify organized crime in the area and dreamed of running a smooth criminal empire. He soon imposed a "street tax" on all criminal rackets in Philadelphia/South Jersey. Although financially extorting criminals is a common mafia racket, it was a somewhat alien practice in Philadelphia. Enforced by soldiers and associates of the family, the tax was paid by criminals working independently from the mafia, including drug dealers, bookmakers, loan sharks, pimps, and number runners operating in territory that Scarfo deemed his own were forced to pay his street tax weekly. Those who refused to pay the tax were often murdered. Loan shark, drug dealer and pawn shop owner John Calabrese was killed by Joseph Ciancaglini Sr., Tommy DelGiorno, Frank Iannarella and Pat Spirito. Frankie "Flowers" D'Alfonso was brutally beaten by Salvatore Testa and Joey Pungitore for refusing to pay the street tax. He was later murdered in 1985.

The crime family's biggest racket was the control of labor unions. During Bruno's and Scarfo's reigns, the Philadelphia crime family maintained some degree of influence over Roofers Union Local 30, Iron Workers Union Local 405, Laborers Union Local 332 and Teamsters Union Locals 107, 158, 331 and 837.^[40] The crime family used this influence to extort businesses, steal from the union treasuries and receive paychecks and benefits for little to no work.

Scarfo also got the crime family heavily involved in methamphetamine trafficking, which was the drug of choice in the Philadelphia/South Jersey area. At first, the family extorted money from local meth dealers. When Greek-American gangster Chelsais Bouras, boss of the Philadelphia Greek Mob, began intruding on the methamphetamine trade in Philadelphia and refused to pay Scarfo's street tax, Scarfo had him killed. Although the Philadelphia Greek Mob had long been a close ally and partner of the Philadelphia Mafia, and despite the fact that some Philadelphia Italian crime family members were themselves heavily involved in Bouras's methamphetamine trafficking ring, the hot-headed and ruthless Scarfo decided to send a message to all local crime organizations about respecting the street tax and the primacy of the Philadelphia crime family by having Bouras killed in public. Bouras was eating dinner with his girlfriend, friends and Scarfo soldier Raymond Martorano when a hit team ambushed and killed Bouras and his girlfriend.

The Philadelphia crime family then started controlling the meth trade in the area by supplying illicit P2P (the key meth ingredient) to meth manufacturers.^[40] By controlling the supply of P2P the Philadelphia crime family was generally able to control the methamphetamine trade in the Philadelphia/South New Jersey area. Some criminals borrowed money from Mafia members to finance meth operations (and benefited from working with the Mafia instead of being extorted by them).^[40] The crime family also had some involvement in cocaine and marijuana trafficking.

Scarfo became notorious for his ruthless, paranoid nature. Scarfo demanded complete allegiance to him and ordered people murdered over signs of disrespect, insubordination or resistance. Described by a former crime family member:^[48]

[i]f you were in good graces with him, he loves you and you love him. You understand? But you never knew from one day to the next. He'd turn on anybody, and he drew no lines when it came to killing. Most Mob bosses were not like him. The Mob is basically run the same in every city, but our "family" was unusual in that it was a very paranoid family because we all feared each other and feared Scarfo the most. He held grudges. If you didn't say hello to him 20 years ago, he never forgot. He used to say, "I'm like the turtle. I get there." You know, we were the best of friends. He believed in me, and I believed in him. But he was very, very paranoid. He betrayed himself. His own nephew turned.

— Nicholas "The Crow" Caramandi

Soon after his promotion to boss, the number of organized crime-related murders escalated in the 1980s. Philadelphia mobster turned government witness Nicholas Caramandi described Scarfo's violent nature in a 2001 interview:^[48]

Scarfo was a cowboy. He didn't want a guy taken in a house and shot easily in the back of the head. He wanted it outside, in broad daylight, with a million people around. Restaurants, funeral homes, anywhere. Then it gets written up in the papers, and it puts fear in people. He loved that cowboy stuff.

Scarfo had inducted member Pasquale "Pat the Cat" Spirito murdered in 1983. During the Riccobene War, Spirito switched sides and aligned himself with Scarfo, but was killed for turning down a murder contract on Riccobene's brother.^[40] But Scarfo's downfall began on September 14, 1984, when Scarfo loyalist Salvatore Testa was murdered. ^[49] Despite Testa serving faithfully under Scarfo and committing several murders on his behalf, Scarfo granted his underboss Salvatore Merlino permission to kill Testa for breaking off his engagement with Merlino's daughter. After this, other members and families saw Scarfo as untrustworthy and paranoid. He also started to earn a negative reputation within his organisation, which led to members turning informant in the late 1980s. After Merlino's drinking problem got out of hand, Scarfo demoted him to soldier and promoted his nephew Phil Leonetti as his new underboss.

In November 1988, Scarfo and 16 of his men were convicted of racketeering, 10 murders, 5 attempted murders, extortion, gambling and narcotics trafficking.^[40] Along with Scarfo, underboss Philip Leonetti, three of the family's four capos or captains, Joseph Ciancaglini, Francis Iannarella Jr. and Santo Idone, and soldiers such as Albert Pontani, Salvatore Merlino and Charles Iannece were arrested.^[50] The prosecutions were strengthened by Mafia members Tommy DelGiorno and Nicholas "Nicky Crow" Caramandi agreeing to cooperate with law enforcement and testify at trial for the government in order to escape long prison terms and Scarfo's ruthless regime.^[40][50] Fifteen of the defendants received prison sentences ranging from 30 to 55 years, including Scarfo.^[40][51]

Leonetti was the next defector who agreed to cooperate with the FBI after being sentenced to 45 years in prison. Many more mobsters would later be sentenced to long prison terms for crimes such as racketeering, narcotics trafficking and murder.^[52] This caused the number of Mafia members in the family to dwindle in the 1990s, with fewer new guys available to replace all those being convicted of serious crimes. By 1990, 21 members were incarcerated, 11 were under indictment and six turned government witnesses.^[53] The Pennsylvania Crime Commission reported that there were only 24 members who were free and not facing criminal charges.

John Stanfa and the Third Philadelphia Mafia War (1990–1996)

John Stanfa (right) talking to Tommy "Horsehead" Scafidi

John Stanfa recruited John Veasey as an enforcer during the war with Chuckie Merlino.^[54] Veasey later became a government turncoat, testifying for the prosecution at Stanfa's trial.

With many of Scarfo's loyalists serving lengthy prison terms, it became clear that Scarfo would not be able to maintain control of the family from prison much longer. To avoid a total power vacuum in the Philadelphia Mafia, John Stanfa, a Sicilian-born mobster with the support and endorsement of the influential Gambino and Genovese crime families in New York, was named boss of the Philadelphia crime family in 1990. Word was sent to the imprisoned Scarfo in October 1990, with Scarfo being informed that he was no longer boss and that John Stanfa had been installed as boss, though Stanfa wasn't officially installed as boss until 1991.^[55] The New York Mafia's intrusion in Philadelphia Mafia affairs was not well received by many of the younger Philadelphia-born mobsters in the Philadelphia crime family, including Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino, the son of former underboss Salvatore Merlino, who saw Stanfa as an outsider who had not worked his way up in the organization due to being imprisoned during the entire Scarfo era.^[56]

While serving prison time together in 1990, Merlino met Ralph Natale.^[57] According to Natale, he and Merlino began plotting to take over the Philadelphia crime family during this period. Natale named Michael Ciancaglini, Steven Mazzone, George Borgesi, Gaetano "Tommy Horsehead" Scafidi and Martin Angelina as Merlino's key associates and co-conspirators in the plan.^[58][59] Stanfa was aware of the divide in his family and tried to find a peaceful solution. He named Michael's older brother Joseph Jr., as his new underboss. Stanfa hoped that this would appease the Merlino faction and bring them under his banner. However, tensions escalated and in 1991 another war for control of the Philadelphia crime family was underway. Merlino loyalists shot and incapacitated Joseph Ciancaglini Jr. while Stanfa's faction killed Michael Ciancaglini.^[60] They continued attacking each other for months, including a freeway ambush Stanfa survived, and several failed attempts on Merlino's life. The Stanfa faction was still solidifying its control of the crime family and recruited many outside hitmen for the war.^[61]

On March 17, 1994, Stanfa and 23 of his men were arrested on racketeering related chargers.^[62] This was the second major indictment on the crime family in seven years. The Federal case was the largest prosecution of an organized crime group in Philadelphia history.^[62] A key piece of evidence was two years of recorded conversations Stanfa would have with mobsters in his attorney's office and doctor's office. Believing attorney–client privilege and doctor-patient confidentiality would protect him, Stanfa openly talked about important Mafia business with his men. However, the FBI was able to get a warrant to place covert listening devices in both offices once they figured out they were being used to aid criminal conspiracies.^[62] Stanfa, in an unusual tactic, recruited several men who were of only partial Italian heritage, including the Veasey brothers. According to the former executive director of the Pennsylvania Crime Commission, Frederick T. Martens, "Stanfa brought in people, like the Veasey brothers, who had no background in the mob but who were willing to break legs and pull a trigger".^[61] John Veasey, who pleaded guilty to charges of racketeering and murder, entered the witness protection program in 1994.^[61] William Veasey, John Veasey's brother, was murdered on October 5, 1995, the same day he was scheduled to testify against Stanfa at trial.^[61]

Stanfa was convicted in 1995,^[63] and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1996.^[64] With most of Stanfa's supporters also arrested and convicted, Merlino was released from prison in November 1994 and named Natale, who had also been released from prison on parole, as the new boss. Merlino positioned himself as Natale's underboss. During Natale's reign, Merlino was the real power in the family, allowing Natale to become boss to direct law enforcement attention away from himself.^[65][66]

Natale's "front boss" reign, Natale turns informant, Merlino takes over, and continuing Mafia violence

George Borgesi, a childhood friend of Joey Merlino and the nephew of Joseph Ligambi

Merlino gained notoriety as a flamboyant, celebrity gangster who often went out partying with a large entourage. The press dubbed him the "John Gotti of Passyunk Avenue" due to his candid demeanor in front of news cameras; Passyunk Avenue is a prominent street in South Philadelphia. He also invited the press when he held Christmas parties for the homeless and gave away turkeys at Thanksgiving in housing projects.^[67]

The arrogance and aggressiveness of Merlino's young faction turned off a lot of criminals from working with the crime family.^[68] Merlino would often make big bets with bookies and refuse to pay when he lost.^[69] This practice, known as guzzling, was used on both independent and mob run bookies. During this time, Merlino and Natale oversaw the crime family's gambling, loan sharking, extortion and stolen goods rackets.

In 1995, Louis Turra, leader of the Philadelphia drug gang the 10th & Oregon Crew, was severely beaten by Merlino's men, allegedly for failing to pay a Mafia street tax on the gang's illegal earnings.^[70] Angered by the beating, Turra sought vengeance. His father Anthony hosted a meeting at his house during which Anthony, Louis and his gang discussed killing Merlino. In January 1998, Louis Turra apparently hanged himself in a New York City jail while awaiting trial. In March 1998, Anthony Turra, on trial on charges of plotting to kill Merlino, was shot dead outside his home by a gunman in a black ski mask. He was shot twice as he left for the federal courthouse, where a jury was deliberating in the racketeering and drug case against him and four other men. "We consider this an organized crime assassination, a mob hit," Police Inspector Jerrold Kane said.^[71] Three years later, Merlino was put on trial for helping orchestrate the murder, but was acquitted.

By the late 1990s, Merlino dodged more than two dozen attempts on his life.^[72] Merlino was friends with Steve "Gorilla" Mondevergine, president of the Philadelphia chapter of the Pagan's Motorcycle Club.^[73] Merlino sometimes used the Pagans to help settle underworld disputes.^[74] The alliance between the Philadelphia Mafia and the Pagans prevented the Pagans' rivals, the Hells Angels, from expanding into Pagan territory in southeast Pennsylvania and New Jersey.^[15] During the 1990s, Merlino was also aligned with members of the Junior Black Mafia.^[75][76]

In June 1998, Natale was jailed for a parole violation; Merlino subsequently took control of the family and cut off support to the imprisoned boss.^[77] Angered by this, Natale offered to secretly record conversations with Merlino,^[78] but it was not until September 1999, when he was indicted for financing drug deals, that he formally struck a deal to cooperate.^[79][80] In doing so, Natale became the first sitting boss in the history of the American Mafia to become government informant.^[81]

Between 1999 and 2001, Merlino, along with his underboss Stephen Mazzone, his consigliere George Borgesi, Martin Angelina, John Ciancaglini and others were arrested and put on trial for racketeering, illegal gambling, loan sharking, extortion, murder and attempted murder.^[82] Natale testified against Merlino during his 2001 racketeering trial, but was unable to secure a conviction for the murders he claimed Merlino committed.^[83] On December 3, 2001, Merlino was however convicted of racketeering charges and given a 14-year prison sentence.^[84] Natale had admitted to committing eight murders and four attempted murders.^[85] In 2005, Natale was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment for drug dealing, racketeering and bribery.^[81] He was released in May 2011, and placed in witness protection.^[86][87]

The rise of Ligambi

In 1997, Joseph Ligambi was released from prison after he successfully appealed his murder conviction and was acquitted at retrial.^[88] After 10 years in prison, Ligambi returned to a much different Mafia family that saw two violent regime changes and the family under the control of a group of young mobsters.^[89] Ligambi, who is Borgesi's uncle, was a Scarfo era soldier when he was imprisoned in 1987 and was also mentored by Merlino's father, Salvatore. After the arrest of Merlino, Borgesi and several others in 1999, Ligambi was chosen to take over as acting boss of the family. In 2001, Merlino was sentenced to 14 years in prison. After Ligambi took over, he remained in the shadows, rarely being mentioned in the media, while taking a much less "trigger-happy" approach to running the family.^[90]

Ligambi stabilized the family when he took over,^[91] maintained membership and restored relations with the New York families.^[92] His inner circle included longtime Philadelphia mobsters Joseph "Mousie" Massimino, Gateon Lucibello, and Anthony Staino.^[89]

Ligambi was left to deal with the damage Merlino had done to the family's relationship with illegal bookmakers, who refused to do business with the Philadelphia crime family because Merlino use to make huge bets, then never paid when he lost.^[93] By the mid-2000s, the family consisted of approximately 50 members, half of whom were incarcerated, in addition to almost 100 associates.^[94][95] During Ligambi's tenure, around a dozen made men were released from prison, filling the ranks.^[96] Many of these men had been young players who fell victim to the family's unstable history and are now middle-aged. He named Anthony Staino, his closest and most loyal associate, as his underboss.^[91] Under Ligambi's direction, the family was able to muscle in on several video poker gambling machine businesses in the Philadelphia area.^[97] In 2007, 23 people, including four members of the Philadelphia crime family, were charged with running an illegal sports betting operation out of a poker room at the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City. The illegal operation was run by the Philadelphia crime family, who received much of the profits.^[98] The operation was accused of taking in $60 million in bets in a 20-month period.^[99] Most of those involved pleaded guilty and received sentences ranging from probation to five years.^[100]

Merlino was released from prison on March 15, 2011, and served out his three-year parole in Florida.^[101] In May 2011, Ligambi and 14 other members and associates of the crime family were indicted by the FBI on racketeering charges related to illegal gambling operations, video poker gambling machines and loan sharking.^[23][102] Seven of those indicted pleaded guilty to lesser charges. One became a government witness and seven went to trial in October 2012.^[103][104] In January 2014, two juries were hung on the racketeering charges, and Ligambi and Borgesi were acquitted and released.^[105]

Current status

Following Merlino's release from prison in 2011, the FBI and organized crime reporters believed he continued to run the Philadelphia-South Jersey Mafia. Merlino disputed this, claiming he retired from a life of crime. As of 2015, Merlino divided his time between south Florida and Philadelphia.^{[106][107][108]}

While the family's criminal operations have greatly reduced over the years, experts believe they have been able to quietly maintain power and stability, and the family remains one of the most active and powerful Italian-American Mafia families. In 2016, it was reported that some members were involved in Philadelphia's booming construction and home rehab industry.^[109] In January 2018, Merlino went on trial for racketeering, fraud and illegal gambling charges.^[110][111] After a trial ended in a hung jury, Merlino pleaded guilty to one illegal gambling charge and was sentenced to two years in prison.

In April 2018, four soldiers and associates in New Jersey were arrested on drug trafficking charges. They are accused of distributing large amounts of methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl and marijuana. They eventually pleaded guilty and were given sentences between five and 15 years.

On November 23, 2020, 15 members and associates of the crime family were indicted on federal racketeering charges; among the defendants were reputed underboss Steven Mazzone and reputed capo Domenic Grande. The primary charges were illegal gambling, loansharking, drug trafficking, and extorting other criminals, including illegal sports betting operators and loan sharks. Interest rates charged on outstanding gambling debts were as high as 264%.^[112][113] After previously pleading guilty, underboss Steven Mazzone was sentenced to five years in prison on December 15, 2022.^[114]

In 2024, Merlino was reportedly excommunicated, or "shelved", by the Philadelphia family after embarking on a career as a podcast host and sports betting tipster, and replaced as head of the family by George Borgesi.^[115]

Historical leadership

Boss (official and acting)

• c.1911–1931 — Salvatore Sabella — retired, deceased in 1962
• 1931–1936 — John "Nazzone" Avena — murdered on August 17, 1936
• 1936–1946 — Giuseppe "Joseph Bruno" Dovi
• 1946–1958 — Giuseppe "Joseph" Ida — deported in 1958, deceased in 1960s–1970s
• 1958–1959 — Antonio "Mr. Miggs" Pollina — deposed by the Commission
• 1959–1980 — Angelo "The Gentle Don" Bruno — murdered on March 21, 1980
• 1980–1981 — Philip "the Chicken Man" Testa — murdered on March 15, 1981
• 1981–1990 — Nicodemo "Little Nicky" Scarfo Sr. — removed by the Commission, deceased in 2017
  • Acting 1981–1984 — Salvatore "Chuckie" Merlino
  • Acting 1989–1990 — Anthony "Tony Buck" Piccolo – stepped down
• 1990–1995 — Giovanni "John" Stanfa — imprisoned for life
• 1995–1999 — Ralph Natale — mostly a front boss, arrested in 1998, turned informant in 1999
  • Acting 1995-1999 - Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino — acting/street boss
• 1999–2024 — Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino — arrested in 1999, released in 2011,^[116][117] Demoted and excommunicated^[115]
  • Acting 1999–2014 — Joseph "Uncle Joe" Ligambi — indicted in May 2011, was acquitted in January 2014, stepped down and became Consigliere
• 2024–present — George Borgesi^[115]

Street boss

When the Boss of a family is incapacitated due to imprisonment, his functions may be fulfilled by an "acting boss" or "street boss".^[112][113]

• 2011–2015 — Steven "Stevie" Mazzone — became Underboss
• 2015–present — Michael "Mikey Lance" Lancelotti ^[112][113]

Underboss (official and acting)

• 1911–1931 — John "Nazzone" Avena — became boss
• 1931–1936 — Giuseppe "Joseph Bruno" Dovi — became boss, died 1946
• 1936–1946 — Giuseppe "Joseph" Ida — became boss
• 1946–1956 — Marco "Small Man" Reginelli - died 1956
• 1956–1957 — Dominick Olivetto — retired
• 1957–1958 — Antonio "Mr. Miggs" Pollina — became boss
• 1958–1970 — Ignazio "Natz" Denaro
• 1970–1980 — Philip "the Chicken Man" Testa — became boss
• 1980–1981 — Peter "Petey" Casella — deposed by Commission
• 1981–1986 — Salvatore "Chuckie" Merlino — demoted, deceased in 2012
  • Acting 1982–1984 — Salvatore "Salvie" Testa — murdered on September 14, 1984
• 1986–1989 — Philip "Crazy Phil" Leonetti — turned informant
• 1989–1990 — Pasquale "Patty Specs" Martirano — died
• 1992–1993 — Joseph "Joey Chang" Ciancaglini Jr. — shot and incapacitated
• 1993–1995 — Frank Martines
• 1995–1999 — Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino — became official boss
• 1999–2004 — Steven Mazzone — imprisoned in 2000^[89]
• 2004–2012 — Joseph "Mousie" Massimino — imprisoned June 2004 – 2010^[118]
  • Acting 2007–2010 — Martin "Marty" Angelina^[119]
  • Acting 2010–2011 — Anthony Staino^[91][120]
• 2012–2015 — John "Johnny Chang" Ciancaglini — stepped down
• 2015–present — Steven "Stevie" Mazzone — indicted on November 23, 2020, sentenced on December 15, 2022 ^{[112][113][114]}
  • Acting 2020–present – ?

Consigliere (official and acting)

• 1911–1931 — Giuseppe "Joseph Bruno" Dovi — became underboss
• 1931–1936 — Giuseppe "Joseph" Ida — became underboss
• 1936–1946 — Marco "Small Man" Reginelli — became underboss
• 1946–1977 — Giuseppe "Joe the Boss" Rugnetta - died 1977
• 1977–1980 — Antonio "Tony Bananas" Caponigro — murdered by Commission
• 1980–1981 — Nicodemo "Little Nicky" Scarfo Sr. — became boss
• 1981–1982 — Frank Monte — murdered
• 1982–1989 — Nicholas Piccolo - died 1989
  • Acting 1984–1987 — Anthony Piccolo
• 1989–1994 — Anthony Piccolo — imprisoned for life, deceased in 2004
• 1995–1996 — Ronald "Ronnie" Turchi — demoted, murdered in 1999
• 1996–1999 — Steven "Handsome Stevie" Mazzone — promoted to underboss
• 1999–2014 — George Borgesi — imprisoned in 2000, released 2014
  • Acting 2004–2012 — Gaeton "Gate" Lucibello — indicted 2012^[121]
• 2014–present — Joseph "Uncle Joe" Ligambi^[112][113]
  • Acting 2024–present — Anthony Staino^[122]

Current family members

Administration

• Boss – George Borgesi – former captain and nephew of consigliere Joseph Ligambi, who served as consigliere himself, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.^[123] On July 3, 2012, before his scheduled to be released from prison Borgesi was charged with overseeing a loan sharking operation in Delaware County from his prison cell in North Carolina.^{[124][125][126]} He has a couple of other family members working as associates for the Philadelphia crime family.^[127] On January 24, 2014, Borgesi was released from prison. Since his release from prison Borgesi has traveled to Rhode Island forming an alliance with Patriarca crime family underboss Matthew Guglielmetti.^[128] In 2024, Borgesi was promoted to boss after Joey Merlino was demoted and excommunicated from the family.^[115]
• Street Boss – Michael "Mikey Lance" Lancelotti – longtime member of the Philadelphia family.^[129] Lancelotti's position was confirmed on November 18, 2020, when the United States Department of Justice provided the initials "M.L." as the current street boss for the Philadelphia crime family.^[113]
• Underboss – Steven "Stevie" Mazzone – the underboss, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.^[113] On November 23, 2020, Mazzone was indicted along with capo Dominick Grande, his brother soldier Salvatore Mazzone and others on racketeering and gambling charges.^[112][113] On December 15, 2022, Mazzone was sentenced to serve five years in prison.^[114] He is scheduled to be released from federal custody on March 17, 2027.^[130]
• Consigliere – Joseph "Uncle Joe" Ligambi – served as longtime acting boss for boss Joey Merlino.^[123] Ligambi's position was confirmed on November 18, 2020, when the Department of Justice provided the initials "J.L." as the current consigliere for the Philadelphia crime family.^[113]
• Acting Consigliere – Anthony Staino – a former captain, according to the United States Department of Justice.^[123] He was charged with loansharking when Henry Scipione, a Philadelphia bookie who owed Staino $80,000, testified against Staino saying that he had threatened to put a bullet in his head.^[131] Staino became the acting consigliere in 2024.^[122]

Philadelphia faction

• Captain – Domenic "Dom" Grande – a captain operating from South Philadelphia, Atlantic City, and South Jersey, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.^[112][113] In November 2020, Grande was indicted along with Underboss Steve Mazzone, soldier Salvatore Mazzone and others on racketeering and gambling charges.^[112][113]
• Soldier – Martin "Marty" Angelina – he was convicted of racketeering with Joey Merlino in 2001, and was sentenced to 78 months. In September 2012, he was sentenced to 57 months on racketeering, loansharking and illegal gambling charges.^[132]
• Soldier – Gaeton "Gate" Lucibello – also known as "The Big Guy";^[133] former capo and acting consigliere. Lucibello was originally a Stanfa loyalist before defecting to the Merlino faction during the war in the 1990s. According to government witness Rosario Bellochi, Lucibello acted as the getaway driver on the attempted murder of former Stanfa soldier Biagio Adornetto at La Veranda Restaurant on December 30, 1992.^[134] He was indicted along with Stanfa and 21 others on March 17, 1994 on racketeering and attempted murder charges.^[135][136] Lucibello testified in his own defense on April 25, 1996, and became the only defendant in the Stanfa case to be acquitted on May 15, 1996.^[134][136]
• Soldier – Salvatore "Sonny" Mazzone – brother of Philadelphia underboss Steve Mazzone.^[137] In November 2020, Mazzone was indicted along with his brother Underboss Steve Mazzone, capo Dominick Grande and others on racketeering and gambling charges.^[112][113]
• Soldier – Anthony Nicodemo – was charged with the 2012 murder of Gino DiPietro, and was a suspect in 2003 when John Casasanto was gunned down.^[138] After being on trial for the DiPietro murder, a mistrial was declared in 2014.^[139]
• Soldier – Joseph Massimino – former underboss, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.^{[123][140][141]} In 2004, he pleaded guilty to charges of racketeering related to gambling and loan sharking, and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.^[142] In 2012, he was charged with additional charges of racketeering related to electronic gambling devices.^[143][144]
• Soldier – Eric Esposito – sentenced in 2014 to 27 months in federal prison for conducting an illegal gambling business.^[145]
• Associate – Victor "Big Vic" DeLuca – sentenced in 2022 to ten years in federal prison for racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.^[146] His release from FCI Lewisburg is scheduled for May 19, 2028.

South New Jersey faction

• Soldier – Anthony Borgesi – was charged along with Philip Ligambi, in 1994, for the assault on a mother and her 16-year-old son over a business deal.^[147]
• Soldier – Joseph "Joey Electric" Servidio – sentenced in 2020 in the District of New Jersey to 15 years in federal prison for the distribution of drugs.^[148] He was also charged in the 2020 Eastern District of Pennsylvania indictment along with Dominic Grande, Steven Mazzone, and others.^[149] His scheduled release date from FCI Elkton is December 23, 2029.
• Soldier – Phillip Narducci – In 2019, Narducci was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment, three years probation and to pay $48,000 in forfeiture and fines for an extortionate loan scheme.^[150]
• Soldier – Salvatore "Sammy" Piccolo – charged and sentenced to 150 months in federal prison for the distribution of drugs and wire fraud.^[151][152] His release from FCI Butner is scheduled for November 2, 2027.
• Soldier – Damion Canalichio – sentenced in the District of New Jersey to 137 months in prison for illegal gambling and loan sharking.^[153]
• Associate – Stephen Sharkey – sentenced to four years in federal prison in 2021 for wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering.^[154]

North New Jersey faction

• Captain – Joseph "Scoops" Licata – captain of Philadelphia's North Jersey crew operating from Newark according to the United States Department of Justice.^[123][155] In 1994, he was sentenced to 14 years in prison after George Fresolone recorded secret conversations, and he was charged under major gambling operations in Newark.^[156] In 2013, a mistrial was declared, and Licata was acquitted of racketeering.^[157]
• Soldier – Louis "Big Lou" Fazzini – soldier under Licata according to the United States Department of Justice.^[123]
• Soldier – Vincent "Beeps" Centorino – he and other high-profile Philadelphia crime family mobsters, including Nicky Scarfo Jr., were tapped by the FBI, and all pleaded guilty in 1994.^[158]

Former family members

• Joseph "Joe Crutch" Curro – Curro first became noticed by law enforcement in 1976 overheard on a wiretap at the restaurant of caporegime Frank Sindone. He died of cancer in 2004.

"Skinny Joey" Merlino in a government surveillance photo, c. 1995

• Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino – became boss in 1999,^[77] and is believed to have headed the Philadelphia crime family until 2024.^[140][141] In 2024, Merlino was demoted and excommunicated from the family after establishing himself as a social media personality.^[115]
• Vincent "Al Pajamas" Pagano – During the Merlino-Stanfa war, Pagano was a Caporegime under John Stanfa. In January 1994, Pagano along with Frank Martines, was involved with the botched murder on FBI witness John Veasey.^[159] Veasey testified against Pagano and he was found guilty of racketeering in 1995 and was sentenced to life imprisonment.^[160][161] In February 2019, Pagano died of natural causes at the age of 89.

Government informants and witnesses

• Ron Previte – former capo. Previte was a Philadelphia Police Department officer for over a decade and was forced to resign around 1979. He became a bouncer in an Atlantic City casino shortly after. In 1985, he was arrested on theft charges and agreed to become an informer for the New Jersey state police.^[162] By 1993, he was a soldier in John Stanfa's Philadelphia crime family, and although he wasn't formally inducted, Stanfa allegedly told Previte to consider himself as a made man. He became an informer in 1997 and agreed to wear a wire for the FBI, he was also paid over $700,000 for information during his time as an informant.^[163] His cooperation, in part, led to former boss Ralph Natale's decision to cooperate in 1999. His testimony and cooperation has brought down at least 50 Philadelphia crime family members and associates.^[164] He died in August 2017 at the age of 73.
• Andrew Thomas DelGiorno – former captain. DelGiorno first became active with the Philadelphia crime family around 1964 and had gotten involved in the bookmaking business.^[165] He admitted to his participation in 5 murders during the 1980s.^[166] He testified against boss Nicky Scarfo and 16 other Philadelphia mobsters in November 1988.^[167]
• Nicholas "Nicky Crow" Caramandi – former hitman and soldier. In 1986, Caramandi alongside Robert Rego and former Democratic-Pennsylvania House of Representatives member, Leland Beloff, attempted to extort $1 million from real estate developer Willard Rouse, for funding revolved around the construction of Penn's Landing in Philadelphia.^[168][169] As a result of the 1984 slaying of Philadelphia captain Salvatore Testa, Caramandi, Joseph Grande and Charles Iannece were inducted into the Philadelphia family.^[170][171] After he received a message from Philadelphia crime family member Raymond Martorano while in prison, who alleged boss Nicky Scarfo was planning to have him murdered, and facing over 20 years in prison, Caramandi agreed to become a government witness.^{[172][173][174]}
• Eugene "Gino" Milano – former soldier and hitman. In 1981, he and captain Salvatore Testa allegedly beat up Frank D'Alfonso, on orders of Scarfo. In January 1988, he was indicted on murder, attempted murder, extortion, gambling and conspiracy to distribute narcotic charges, alongside boss Nicky Scarfo and 18 others.^[175][176] Milano became a government witness in early 1989 and admitted to participation in the murder of Frank D'Alfonso on July 23, 1985. It is noted that he has testified against his younger brother.^[177] In 1990, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison, however in 1993, his sentence was reduced to 9-years imprisonment.^[178]
• Lawerence "Yogi" Merlino – former captain.^[179] He is the deceased uncle of current Philadelphia family boss Joey Merlino and the brother to Chuckie Merlino.^[180] Due to his ownership of a construction company based in Atlantic City, Merlino relatives have been repeatedly denied a gaming license by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission since 1989.^[181][182] In 1989, he agreed to become an informer and pleaded guilty to federal racketeering charges and to a murder charge. He died in 2001.
• Phil "Crazy Phil" Leonetti – former underboss and nephew of former Philadelphia crime family boss Nicky Scarfo. He participated in his first murder at the age of 10 and helped Scarfo dispose of a corpse, a man Scarfo killed with an ice pick in a New Jersey bar for disrespecting him, the young Leonetti was used as a decoy. The first person he killed was a drug user named Louie DeMarco in 1976 on orders of boss Angelo Bruno.^[183] In 1978, he shot Vincent Falcone twice and killed him, which prompted associate Joe Salerno to become a government witness.^[184][185] He was inducted into the Philadelphia mob as a soldier in 1980. Leonetti was sentenced to 45 years in prison in 1987.^[186] He decided to become a government witness in 1989. Leonetti admitted to being the trigger man in 2 murders and participated in 8 separate murders.^[187] He was scheduled to testify against Gambino crime family boss John Gotti on January 21, 1992, however Gambino underboss Sammy "the Bull" Gravano agreed to testify instead.^[188] In May 1992, former federal judge Franklin Van Antwerpen reduced Leonetti's sentence to 6-years imprisonment. He testified against Genovese crime family boss Vincent Gigante in 1997 and claimed Gigante ordered 6 murder contracts as retaliation for murdering Philadelphia bosses Angelo Bruno and Phil Testa without approval from the other crime families, specifically in New York.^[189] He released a book about his life in 2012.^[190]
• George Fresolone – former soldier. During his imprisonment for illegal gambling and loansharking, Fresolone became an informant for the New Jersey State police in 1988. He recorded more than 400 conversations and his information was responsible for the indictment of nearly 40 mobsters.^[191][192] He wore a wire during his ceremony in July 1990 to become an official member of the Philadelphia mob.^[193] He died in 2002.
• Salvatore "Wayne" Grande – former soldier. On September 14, 1984, he shot and killed captain Salvatore Testa, the son of Phil Testa, who became boss of the Philadelphia mob for a brief period and who also inducted Grande four years earlier.^[194] According to former Philadelphia crime family underboss and government witness Phil Leonetti, Grande repeatedly attempted to murder Harry Riccobene but failed, an enemy of the Scarfo faction, including an incident where Riccobene managed to survive 5 gunshot wounds to his face.^[195] In 1988, he was convicted on federal racketeering charges and informed on American Mafia mobsters later on during his imprisonment.^[196] Some of his relatives remain in the mob, including his son, who was allegedly inducted in 2011.
• John Veasey – former associate and hitman. He was part of the Stanfa faction during the Philadelphia mob war from 1992 to 1994. In August 1993, Veasey shot and killed Michael "Mikey Chang" Ciancaglini during a drive-by shooting, and wounded Joey Merlino with 4 gunshot wounds. In September 1993, he shot and killed Frank Baldino Sr. outside of the Melrose Diner in South Philadelphia.^{[197][198][199]} He alleged that Stanfa became withdrawn after Veasey's complaints and ordered a contract on him. On January 14, 1994, he was lured to a second-floor apartment and noted that the room was covered in plastic, the hitmen alleged that they were "painting". Moments after, he was shot 3 times in the head and once in the chest. Veasey managed to stab one of the attackers and hit the other one, eventually fleeing the apartment.^[200][201] In January 1994, he became a government witness. On the day of John Stanfa's trial in October 1995 which Veasey was scheduled to testify at, his brother, William "Bill" Veasey, was murdered.^[202][203] He was sent to prison in the mid-1990s and was released in 2005. He released a book about his life in January 2012.^[204]
• Rosario Conti Bellocchi – former soldier and hitman. He was engaged to John Stanfa's niece.^[205] Along with fellow Philadelphia mob soldier, Biagio Adornetto, he departed Sicily to work for Stanfa.^[206]
• Biagio Adornetto – former soldier. He survived a failed assassination attempt on his life as friend and fellow Philly mob soldier, Rosario Bellocchi, loaded the shotgun with the wrong size of bullets; Adornetto was accused of flirting with John Stanfa's niece.^[207]
• Philip Colletti – former soldier. He was part of the Stanfa faction. According to Colletti, he created a remote-control bomb which was planted under Joey Merlino's car in 1993 and failed to detonate multiple times.^[208] His wife testified that Colletti and his wife participated in the disposing of a car which was used in a mob hit, the death of Michael Ciancaglini and wounding of Merlino, and fellow Philadelphia mob member and informer John Veasey testified that Colletti was with him when the shooting took place.^[209][210]
• Ralph Natale – former boss between 1994 and 1998. Natale was inducted by Joey Merlino while in prison in 1994 however he later claimed that he became a member under Angelo Bruno.^[211] He reached out to the FBI in the summer of 1998 while imprisoned on parole violations however a deal was worked out in 1999 after facing a charge of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine's in Philadelphia and New Jersey, alongside Joey Merlino.^[212][213] In 2000, he pleaded guilty to illegal gambling, extortion and drug distribution charges, including participating in 7 murders.^[214] He also admitted to handing bribes of around $50,000 to Milton Milan, the Democratic 45th mayor of Camden, New Jersey.^[215] He was interviewed by Trevor McDonald in 2015 and released a book about his mob life in 2017.^[216]
• Robert "Boston Bob" Luisi Jr. – former captain under Joey Merlino. Originally an associate of the Patriarca crime family, he joined the Philadelphia mob and became inducted in 1998. On November 6, 1995, his father, cousin, brother and family friend were killed by gunman Anthony Clemente who fired 13 shots inside of a Charlestown restaurant.^[217] It is noted that he attempted to seize control of the criminal rackets of Whitey Bulger in Boston during the 1990s, and attempted to meet Kevin Weeks in 1998. He was indicted by the FBI on June 28, 1999, alongside 13 others for conspiracy to acquire and distribute cocaine. In 2000, he admitted to the murder of Anthony DiPrizio in 1997.^[218][219] He later became a pastor and relocated to Tennessee using the alias Alonso Esposito.^[220]
• Peter "Pete the Crumb" Caprio – former capo. In July 2000, he admitted to conspiring to commit murder, extortion and other crimes. During the case, he was accused of participating in the murder of William Gantz in 1994 and Joseph Sodano in 1996.^[221] Caprio testified against the absent Genovese crime family captain Lawrence Ricci in October 2005, who was murdered a few weeks before his trial.^[222]
• Gaetano "Tommy Horsehead" Scafidi – former soldier. By 1986, he was a money runner for boss Nicky Scarfo, collecting and delivering money payments each week on behalf of Scarfo. His brother, Tori Scafidi, was also a soldier in the Philly crime family and was inducted in 1986. He joined the Merlino faction during the Philadelphia mob war in the 1990s, who opposed new boss John Stanfa. However he switched sides and was shortly after inducted into the crime family by Stanfa. In 1993, two gunmen attempted to kill him however the bullet shattered his car mirror.^[223] He became an informer in 2000.^[224]

List of murders committed by the Philadelphia crime family

In popular culture

In 2006, the film 10th & Wolf was released, and marketed as the true story of the Philadelphia Mafia.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• History of Italian Americans in Philadelphia
• Italian Market, Philadelphia
• Frank Palumbo

References

1. • New York, Philadelphia mobs vying for control of Atlantic City Christopher Winians, United Press International (December 20, 1980) Archived June 4, 2024, at archive.today
   • Organized Crime: 25 Years After Valachi Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (1988) Archived June 4, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
   • La Cosa Nostra – 1989 Report State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation (1989) Archived May 26, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
   • McMahon, Paula (August 13, 2016). "Mob crackdown shows South Florida is still home for organized crime, feds say". South Florida Sun Sentinel. Archived from the original on January 6, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
   • Mob Talk: Philly Crime Family Leaders Conducted Mafia Initiation Ritual In Boston In 1990s Scott Burnstein, The Gangster Report (November 13, 2017) Archived October 9, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
2. "The Changing Face of organize crime in New Jersey" (PDF). State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation. May 2004. Archived June 11, 2020, at the Wayback Machine
3. • Organized Crime: 25 Years After Valachi Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (1988) Archived June 4, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
   • La Cosa Nostra – 1989 Report State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation (1989) Archived May 26, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
   • Organized Crime in Pennsylvania: A Decade of Change Pennsylvania Crime Commission (1990) Archived November 10, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
   • "The Changing Face of organize crime in New Jersey" (PDF). State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation. May 2004. Archived June 11, 2020, at the Wayback Machine
   • The Irishman Left Out the Full Story of the Disastrous Angelo Bruno and Frank Sidone Murders Gabrielle Bruney, Esquire (December 2, 2019) Archived August 15, 2020, at the Wayback Machine
4. Hoffa hoped Philly mob don Angelo Bruno could save his dying bid for Teamsters presidency Scott Burnstein, The Gangster Report (December 3, 2019) Archived October 12, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
5. Mob NJ: The Mafia is still here, tied to Port Newark and the suburbs Andrew Ford, Asbury Park Press (March 28, 2019) Archived July 27, 2020, at archive.today
6. Burnstein, Scott M. (2006). Motor City Mafia: A Century of Organized Crime in Detroit. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9780738540849.
7. • The Big Players On The Boardwalk The New York Times (February 5, 1978) Archived July 22, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
   • Organized Crime: 25 Years After Valachi Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (1988) Archived June 4, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
8. Introduction The Washington Post Archived September 1, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
9. Lucchese & Philly Mob Alliance: Perna Boys In Jersey Watching Skinny Joey’s Back In Beef With Westside, Per Sources Scott Burnstein, The Gangster Report (February 12, 2024)
10. That's what friends are for: Phiily mob mover & shaker Borgesi makes more "friends" along East Coast Scott Burnstein, The Gangster Report (March 27, 2017) Archived October 8, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
11. La Cosa Nostra – 1989 Report State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation (1989) Archived May 26, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
12. Why War Horns May Sound Over Philly, Or Not… Pan American Crime (October 20, 2016) Archived November 15, 2019, at the Wayback Machine
13. • La Cosa Nostra – 1989 Report State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation (1989) Archived May 26, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
    • Caparella, Kitty (August 30, 1989). "Sources: Mob Buys Coke From The JBM". Philadelphia Daily News. Retrieved November 7, 2015. Archived September 13, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
14. "The Departed". Philadelphia CityPaper. October 8, 2015. Archived from the original on January 22, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
15. Caparella, Kitty (March 11, 1999). "Mob-Pagan Pact: Joey's Bid For Philly Crime Boss Fueled By Link With Biker Gang". Philadelphia Daily News. Retrieved November 7, 2015. Archived May 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
16. Greek Mob: Brotherly Mafia Love in Philly Nick Christophers, Greek Reporter (July 23, 2009) Archived March 8, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
17. Lewis, Larry; Colimore, Edward (May 6, 1996). "Details Emerge Of Divided Warlocks And Year-ago Killing Two Bikers Are Charged. One Was Known For Violence, The Other For Trying To Change The Club's Image". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 7, 2015. Archived May 29, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
18. Caparella, Kitty (August 30, 1989). "Sources: Mob Buys Coke From The JBM". Philadelphia Daily News. Retrieved November 7, 2015. Archived September 13, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
19. 41 Charged in Mob Case Based on Informer Joseph F. Sullivan, The New York Times (August 22, 1990) Archived April 22, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
20. Atlantic City's Organized Crime Barrier Develops Major Fissures Margot Hornblower, The Washington Post (January 16, 1984) Archived August 28, 2017, at the Wayback Machine
21. "Philadelphia Mafia figure returned to prison for meeting friend". TribLIVE. Associated Press. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
22. Volk, Steve. "What Ever Happened to the South Philly Mob". Philadelphia Magazine. Archived from the original on February 24, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
23. "Merlino still runs Philly mob, court document says". Philly.com. May 4, 2012. Archived from the original on May 7, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
24. "Document Says Joey Merlino Still Runs Philly Mob". Archived from the original on May 8, 2012. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
25. State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation. "State of New Jersey 27th Annual Report" (PDF). State.nj. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 24, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
26. "Mob chef Angelo Lutz hopes for a hit with New Jersey restaurant The Kitchen Consigliere". New York: NY Daily News. Associated Press. October 31, 2013. Archived from the original on March 30, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
27. Anastasia, George (March 31, 2000). "Tracing Ties Between Mob And Mayor Investigators Say A Friend Of Boss-turned-informant Ralph Natale's Funneled Cash And Gifts To Milton Milan". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
28. Anastasia, George (November 4, 1990). "Informant Is Mob Target, Officials Say". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
29. Brady Shea, Kathleen (July 2, 2008). "17 arrests aimed at the mob in Delco The arrests ended a 6 1/2-year probe into gambling, selling drugs and loan-sharking, authorities said". Philly.com. The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
30. Simmons, Rose (February 1, 1990). "Mafia Trial Shows Muscle Of 'Old One'". Philly.com. The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on January 22, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
31. Anastasia, George (December 1, 1988). "Rackets Said To Own Chester Pa. Crime Panel Hears 2d Day Of Testimony". Philly.com. The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
32. Barry, Jim. "Trouble With a Capital N". Philadelphia CityPaper. Archived from the original on October 14, 2015. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
33. "Nicodemo Scarfo". Biography.com. Bio. Archived from the original on February 3, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
34. Sullivan, Joseph F. (August 22, 1990). "41 Charged in Mob Case Based on Informer". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 25, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
35. "How the Pagans Bested the Mob | Cover Story | News and Opinion". Philadelphia Weekly. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
36. LeDuc, Daniel; Anastasia, George; Terry, Robert J. (August 22, 1990). "Mobster-informant Leads To Arrests Of Nicodemo Scarfo Jr., 28 Others". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
37. Tulsky, Fredric N.; Pothier, Dick (May 14, 1987). "Scarfo Had Sal Testa Slain For 'Honor,' Caramandi Says". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
38. Capeci, Jerry. The complete idiot's guide to the Mafia "The Mafia's Commission" (pp. 31–46)
39. The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Mafia. Capeci, Jerry. Penguin Publishing, 2005
40. Pennsylvania Crime Commission: 1984 Report Archived November 11, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. DIANE Publishing Company ISBN 9780788145629
41. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved March 14, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
42. "Serving up Harry: The Riccobene/Scarfo War Crime Magazine". Archived from the original on April 17, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
43. Anastasia, George (March 12, 1989). "Behind Bruno's Slaying: Tale Of A Triple-cross". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on March 30, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
44. Anastasia (1991), pp. 29-30, 88
45. Anastasia (1991), pp. 91-92
46. Anastasia (1991), pp. 106-109
47. "This Ain't No 'Godfather' Flick over the Bulk of the Last Century, the Philly Mob Maintained a Code of Silence - but No More". Archived from the original on October 18, 2015. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
48. RICHARD BEHAR Nicholas (The Crow) Caramandi (June 24, 2001). "A Crow Turns Stool Pigeon". Time. Archived from the original on December 25, 2015. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
49. "The Story Of Sal Testa, Former Scarfo Protege". Philly.com. Michael B. Coakley. Archived from the original on March 22, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
50. "Dismantling The Philadelphia Mob". Articles.philly.com. January 29, 1989. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
51. Writer, By George Anastasia, Staff (January 15, 2017). "Tyrannical Mafia boss Nicodemo 'Little Nicky' Scarfo, 87, dies in prison hospital". inquirer.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
52. "Mob Underboss Gets 45-year Sentence". Articles.philly.com. May 11, 1989. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
53. "For Nearly 50 Years, An Underworld Player". Articles.philly.com. May 24, 2011. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
54. "Veasey's Life After the Philly Mob". Phillymag.com. October 29, 2010. Archived from the original on January 5, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
55. "Ron Previte, wiseguy informant who brought down Philly mob bosses, dead at 73". August 29, 2017.
56. Raab, Selwyn (November 22, 1995). "Jury Convicts Philadelphia's Mob Leader". The New York Times. Philadelphia, Pa, Usa. Archived from the original on April 13, 2009. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
57. Barry, Jim. "Who's the Boss?". Citypaper.net. Archived from the original on October 1, 2015. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
58. Caparella, Kitty. "Recalling A Bloody Hit." Philadelphia Daily News. April 24, 2001.
59. Anastasia, George. "Mob Boss Natale Tells of 'Descent Into Hell'." Philadelphia Inquirer. March 31, 2001.
60. "Brother Against Brother MOB SCENE". YouTube. May 29, 2013. Archived from the original on January 22, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
61. Raab, Selwyn (October 6, 1995). "Brother of Mob Turncoat Is Gunned Down - NYTimes.com". The New York Times. Philadelphia (Pa). Archived from the original on July 1, 2017. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
62. Decourcy, Michael (March 18, 1994). "F.B.I. Arrests Reputed Leader of Philadelphia Mob and 23 Others". The New York Times. Philadelphia (Pa). Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
63. "Jury Convicts Philadelphia's Mob Leader". The New York Times. November 22, 1995. Archived from the original on April 13, 2009.
64. "Stanfa given life term". upi.com. July 9, 1996. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
65. Anastasia, George (2004). The Last Gangster. New York: HarperCollins. pp. 70–72. ISBN 978-0-06-054423-2.
66. Jim Barry; Howard Altman. "Who's the Boss?". Philadelphia City Paper. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
67. "Skinny Joey Talks About Nicky Skins and Life Without the Mob". Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
68. "Sins of the Fathers". mycitypaper.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
69. "No Reservatons at Ristorante Merlino". Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
70. "Who's the mob hit-wit" March 14, 1998. Philadelphia Daily News
71. "Charged With Planning Mob Hit, Reputed Gangster Slain On Street". Chicago Tribune. March 19, 1998. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2010.
72. "National Geographic takes on the Philly mob". Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved June 26, 2007.
73. "Former Pagans leader Mondevergine arrested on attempted-murder charge". December 16, 2010. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
74. "Former Pagans leader Mondevergine arrested on attempted-murder charge". Philly.com. June 2, 2011. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
75. "Junior Mince". Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
76. "Inside the Drug-Dealing Empire That Ruled West Philly". January 10, 2018. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
77. Barry, Jim; Altman, Howard (April 5, 2001). "Hit Recordings". Philadelphia City Paper. Archived from the original on December 9, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
78. Anastasia (2004), p. 337
79. Braun, Stephen (May 4, 2001). "This Mob Shot Its Brains Out". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 28, 2011. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
80. Anastasia (2004), p. 263
81. "NATION IN BRIEF". Washington Post. January 22, 2005. Archived from the original on February 28, 2018. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
82. "United States of America v. Joseph Merlino A/K/A Skinny Joey Joseph Merlino, Appellant United States of America v. Steven Mazzone, Appellant United States of America v. Frank Gambino, Appellant United States of America v. Martin Angelina, United States of America v. John Ciancaglini, Appellant United States of America v. Angelo Lutz, Appellant United States of America v. George Borgesi, Appellant, 349 F.3d 144 (3d Cir. 2003)". Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
83. "7 Reputed Mafia Figures Are Acquitted of Murder". New York Times. July 21, 2001. Archived from the original on February 28, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2011.
84. "Mid-Atlantic: Pennsylvania: Mobster Gets 14 Years". The New York Times. December 4, 2001. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
85. "A 'Made' Man Turns Into Star Witness". washingtonpost.com. April 6, 2001.
86. "About Ralph Natale". Philly.com. September 2, 2011. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
87. Gross, Dan (July 28, 2011). "Mob boss turned rat Ralph Natale working on a memoir". Philadelphia Daily News. Archived from the original on June 17, 2018. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
88. "Scarfo, Pals Not Guilty But Only One Defendant Has A Shot At Freedoms". Articles.philly.com. February 21, 1997. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
89. "Underboss sentenced as war on mob continues Merlino associate Steven Mazzone was given a nine-year term. The probes go on, authorities say". Articles.philly.com. September 2, 2011. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
90. "Still home for holidays". Articles.philly.com. May 24, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
91. Anastasia, George (December 26, 2010). "Still Home for Holidays". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 4, 2010.
92. McGarvey, Brendan. "Happy Birthday to Joe :: News :: Article :: Philadelphia City Paper". Citypaper.net. Archived from the original on August 24, 2007. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
93. McGarvey, Brendan. "Sins of the Fathers". Citypaper.net. Archived from the original on January 22, 2016. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
94. "Police data show Philadelphia mob in decline". New Criminologist. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
95. "Waste And Abuse" (PDF). State.nj.us. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 19, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
96. [1] Archived January 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
97. [2] Archived May 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
98. Chen, David W. (November 15, 2007). "23 Are Charged with Illegal Sports Betting at Borgata Casino in Atlantic City". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
99. "Mob tape may play role at sentencing". April 5, 2009. Archived from the original on April 1, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
100. "State of New Jersey". Archived from the original on July 9, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
101. Dale, Maryclaire (October 10, 2014). "Judge weighs revoking convicted mobster's parole". sandiegouniontribune.com. Archived from the original on May 2, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
102. Walters, Patrick (May 23, 2011). "Reputed Philly mob boss, 12 others arrested | 6abc.com". Abclocal.go.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
103. Dale, Maryclaire (October 8, 2012). "Ligambi goes on trial Tuesday in Philly mob case | Action News at 4pm". Abclocal.go.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
104. "Reputed Philly mob boss Joseph Ligambi denied bail before retrial". abc7chicago.com. February 25, 2013. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
105. "Reputed Philadelphia mob boss Joseph Ligambi goes free". abc7chicago.com. January 28, 2014. Archived from the original on December 1, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
106. "Merlino's Restaurant". Merlino's. -----. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
107. "Philly Mobster Merlino Now a Florida Maitre D'". Thomas Fitzgerald. NBC News Philadelphia. November 23, 2014. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
108. "Merlino's back story as big as its food". South Florida.com. John Tanasychuk. Archived from the original on March 12, 2016. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
109. "Experts: Philadelphia Mob is Growing". January 28, 2016. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
110. "Joey Merlino arrested in major mob bust". PhillyVoice. August 4, 2016. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
111. "Reputed Philly crime boss Joey Merlino gets $5 million bond". Archived from the original on October 6, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
112. Eastern District of Pennsylvania, U.S. Attorney’s Office (November 23, 2020). "Fifteen Members and Associates of the Philadelphia Mafia Indicted on Federal Racketeering and Related Charges". U.S. Department of Justice. Department of Justice. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
113. Eastern District of Pennsylvania, U.S. Attorney’s Office. "Fifteen Members and Associates of the Philadelphia Mafia Indicted on Federal Racketeering and Related Charges". U.S. Department of Justice. Department of Justice. Archived from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
114. "Eastern District of Pennsylvania | Underboss of Philadelphia Mafia Sentenced to Five Years After Pleading Guilty to Leading Racketeering, Loan-Sharking and Extortion Conspiracies | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. December 15, 2022. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
115. Philadelphia Mob Puts Skinny Joey 'On A Shelf' Jerry Capeci, Gang Land News (September 12, 2024) Archived September 13, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
116. Brown, Julie K. (September 29, 2012). "Joseph Merlino: The mobster next door". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
117. "Skinny Joey Talks About Nicky Skins And Life Without The Mob | Big Trial | Philadelphia Trial Blog". Big Trial. April 12, 2013. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
118. "Mob underboss seeks sentence reduction Joseph Massimino, who ran a gambling operation in South Jersey and Pa., has served half of a 10-year term". Articles.philly.com. June 23, 2009. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
119. "FOX 29 News Philadelphia | WTXF". Myfoxphilly.com. Archived from the original on February 19, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
120. "FOX 29 News Philadelphia | WTXF". Myfoxphilly.com. Archived from the original on May 28, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
121. Moran, Robert (August 3, 2012). "Mob figure pleads guilty to racketeering". www.inquirer.com. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
122. Philly Mafia Names Fmr. Acting UB Of Yesteryear Anthony Staino New Acting Consigliere, Preparing For Uncle Joe’s Retirement Scott Burnstein, The Gangster Report (July 6, 2024)
123. Eastern District of Pennsylvania, U.S. Attorney’s Office. "In the United States District Court for Eastern District of Pennsylvania" (PDF). U.S. Department of Justice. Department of Justice. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 18, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
124. "Ex-mob consigliere Borgesi pleads not guilty". Philly.com. June 15, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
125. "Ligambi ordered held without bail". Philly.com. May 27, 2011. Archived from the original on April 24, 2018. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
126. "Jailed Mob Boss In Spat With Relative?". Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
127. "Angry 'Wiseguys' In Corner Argument". Myfoxphilly.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
128. Brunstein, Scott (July 23, 2018). "SOUTH PHILLY SOURCES: MAFIA CAPO BORGESI GETS BRUNO-SCARFO'S NEW ENGLAND CREW UP & RUNNING AGAIN". Gangster Report. Archived from the original on December 10, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
129. "Informant testifies at Ligambi trial". Philly.com. October 25, 2012. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
130. "BOP: Federal Inmates By Name". www.bop.gov. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
131. "Prosecution witness says Staino seldom threatened him". Philly.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
132. "'Made' man Angelina pleads guilty in federal court". Philly.com. Archived from the original on December 18, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
133. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs (May 23, 2011). "Leadership, Members and Associates of the Philadelphia La Cosa Nostra Family Charged with Racketeering Conspiracy and Related Crimes" (PDF). U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
134. Anastasia, George (April 25, 1996). "2 figures in mob case profess innocence; one smells a setup". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
135. Anastasia, George (March 18, 1994). "When the big bust came, the top man went quietly". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
136. Caparella, Kitty (May 31, 1996). "Home from jail to a mob scene". Philadelphia Daily News. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
137. "Nose Job". Philadelphia City Paper. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
138. "Shooting death of South Philadelphia man termed a mob hit". Philly.com. Archived from the original on January 22, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
139. "Mistrial in reputed Philadelphia mobster murder case". abc.com. May 20, 2014. Archived from the original on January 12, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
140. "FBI Makes Major La Cosa Nostra Arrests In Philadelphia". Archived from the original on August 23, 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
141. "Reputed mob boss Ligambi and others indicted on gambling, loan-sharking charges". Articles.philly.com. May 24, 2011. Archived from the original on August 9, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
142. George Anastasia (July 23, 2009). "Mob underboss seeks sentence reduction Joseph Massimino, who ran a gambling operation in South Jersey and Pa., has served half of a 10-year term". Philadelphia Media Network. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
143. Barry Leibowitz (May 23, 2011). "Alleged Phila. mob boss, a dozen more, hit with federal indictment for rackateering, gambling - Crimesider - CBS News". CBS News. Archived from the original on May 26, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
144. Bender, William; Zalot, Morgan (December 13, 2012). "Apparent mob hit in South Philadelphia". Philadelphia Media Network. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
145. "Office of Public Affairs | Philadelphia La Cosa Nostra Soldier Sentenced to Serve 27 Months in Prison | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
146. "Eastern District of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia LCN Associate Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison For Racketeering and Drug Dealing | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. April 1, 2022. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
147. "Reputed Mob Associates Charged In Attack On Mother, Son Anthony Borgesi, 29, And Philip Ligambi, 24, Are Charged. Police Say The Fight Was Over A Business Deal". Philly.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
148. "District of New Jersey | South Jersey Member of Philadelphia Crime Family Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Selling Illegal Drugs | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. October 22, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
149. "Eastern District of Pennsylvania | Fifteen Members and Associates of the Philadelphia Mafia Indicted on Federal Racketeering and Related Charges | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. November 23, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
150. "Eastern District of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia La Cosa Nostra Member and Associate Plead Guilty to Making and Collecting Extortionate Loans | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. May 15, 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
151. "District of New Jersey | Atlantic City, New Jersey, Man Admits Insurance Fraud, Drug Distribution | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. April 16, 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
152. "District of New Jersey | Atlantic City Man Sentenced To 150 Months In Prison For Insurance Fraud, Drug Distribution | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. November 14, 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
153. "Eastern District of Pennsylvania | La Cosa Nostra Member Sentenced To 137 Months In Prison | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. December 15, 2014. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
154. "Eastern District of Pennsylvania | Mob Associate Sentenced to 4+ Years for Real Estate Fraud Scheme | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. April 13, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
155. "Mobster-informant Leads To Arrests Of Nicodemo Scarfo Jr., 28 Others". Articles.philly.com. August 22, 1990. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
156. "Mob Boss Sentenced To 14 Years Joseph Licata Admitted Having Headed A Loan-sharking And Gambling Ring In The '80s". Philly.com. Archived from the original on January 28, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
157. "Mistrial for Ligambi in Philly mob trial, three men convicted, one acquitted". February 6, 2013. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
158. "Secret Tape Captures A Mob Initiation Rite A Bombshell Lands On 'Tony Buck' Piccolo". Philly.com. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
159. "INEPT MOBSTERS MADE BEST HITS AS WITNESSES". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
160. "Reputed Mobsters to Face Their Own Words in Federal Racketeering Trial". AP. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
161. "Poodle's Death Stirs Trial Enforcer For Mob Fingers Loanshark". mpmpc. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
162. "Ronald Previte, Mafia captain turned informant, dies at 73". Chicago Tribune. Michael Rubinkam. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
163. "Former 'Capo': 'I Was Underpaid'". CBS. March 11, 2004. Archived from the original on April 22, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
164. "The Last Gangster". CBS. Tatiana Morales. March 15, 2004. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
165. "Onetime Wise Guy Rates Another Kind of Mob Hit". Joe Sharkey. New York Times. January 15, 2000. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
166. "Musings of a Mob Man With a Price on His Head". Joe Sharkey. The New York Times. May 18, 1997. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
167. "Defense rests, prosecution resumes in Scarfo trial". UPI. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
168. "Willard Rouse, 60, dies; transformed Phila.'s skyline". Philadelphia Business Journal. Archived from the original on August 12, 2017. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
169. Gruson, Lindsey (June 28, 1986). "PHILADELPHIA COUNCILMAN CHARGED WITH EXTORTION IN DEVELOPMENT". The New York Times. NY TIMES. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
170. "United States of America v. Anthony Pungitore Jr., Appellant in No. 89-1371.united States of America v. Joseph Grande. Appellant in No. 89-1372.united States of America v. Francis Iannarella Jr., Appellant in No. 89-1393.united States of America v. Phillip Narducci. Appellant in No. 89-1395.united States of America v. Salvatore Scafidi. Appellant in No. 89-1396.united States of America v. Nicholas Virgilio. Appellant in No. 89-1397.united States of America v. Charles Iannece. Appellant in No. 89-1400.united States of America v. Salvatore Wayne Grande. Appellant in No. 89-1401.united States of America v. Joseph Pungitore. Appellant in No. 89-1402.united States of America v. Frank Narducci Jr., Appellant in No. 89-1403.united States of America v. Ralph Staino Jr., Appellant in No. 89-1404.united States of America v. Salvatore J. Merlino. Appellant in No. 89-1409.united States of America v. Nicodemo Scarfo. Appellant in No. 89-1446.united States of America v. Joseph Ciancaglini. Appellant in No. 89-1448, 910 F.2d 1084 (3d Cir. 1990)". US JUSTIA LAW. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
171. "Hitman says slain mob captain set up by best friend". UPI. Brian Mooar. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
172. "When Mobsters Refuse to Retire". AARP. George Anastasia. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
173. Behar, Richard; Caramandi, Nicholas (The Crow) (June 17, 1991). "A Crow Turns Stool Pigeon: NICHOLAS CARAMANDI". Time. Richard Behar. Archived from the original on March 21, 2016. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
174. "Crow?s Feat". Philly Magazine. Bill Tonelli. October 2008. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
175. "Scarfo, 18 others named in sweeping indictment". UPI. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
176. "Mob defector testifies against former co-defendants". UPI. Brian Mooar. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
177. "Philadelphia Mob Leader Is Convicted of Murder". The New York Times. The New York Times. April 6, 1989. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
178. "Mob Witness Gets Sentence Reduced". The Morning Call. Gay Elwell. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
179. Cimino, Al (2017). Mafia Crimes: The History of the Mob. Arcturus. ISBN 9781788284172. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
180. "Convicted mobster 'Chuckie' Merlino dies in federal prison". Herald Net. Troy Graham. October 23, 2012. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
181. Parry, Wayne (September 21, 2009). "'Family' ties at issue in Merlino casino work bid". Boston.com. Wayne Parry. Archived from the original on May 21, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
182. "Mobster founded Merlino firm, crime expert says". Press of Atlantic City. DONALD WITTKOWSKI. September 28, 2009. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
183. "Kin's mob memoir details Scarfo's bloody Pa. reign". Abc. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
184. "The Mafia's Marked Man : Books: Joe Salerno fingered a mob boss and broke a crime family. He has been running ever since". Paul Dean. La Times. February 22, 1990. Archived from the original on January 26, 2017. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
185. "Book excerpt from 'Mafia Prince:' The story of Philip Leonetti's mob hit of Vincent Falcone as ordered and watched by Nicky Scarfo". Scott Burnstein. NY DAILY NEWS. November 19, 2012. Archived from the original on April 23, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
186. "Mafia Trial in Hartford Opens With Guilty Plea". Nick Ravo. NY TIMES. May 4, 1991. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
187. "Judge reduces mobster's sentence". UPI. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
188. "Organized Crime An Offer They Can't Refuse". TIME. Richard Behar. June 24, 2001. Archived from the original on May 6, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
189. "CHIN FINGERED IN 6 SLAYINGS". New York Daily News. July 3, 1997. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
190. Mafia Prince: Inside America's Most Violent Crime Family and the Bloody Fall of La Cosa Nostra. Scott Burnstein. ASIN 0762454318.
191. "George Fresolone, 48; Mob Informant". LA TIMES. March 18, 2002. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
192. "Blood Oath: The Heroic Story of a Gangster Turned Government Agent who Brought Down One of America's Most Powerful Mob Families". Publishers Weekly. Robert J. Wagman. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
193. The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Mafia, 2nd Edition. Jerry Capeci. 2005. ISBN 9781440625824. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
194. Gruson, Lindsey (April 11, 1987). "10 REPUTED MOBSTERS ARE INDICTED IN PHILADELPHIA IN 1984 SLAYING". The New York Times. New York Times. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
195. Mafia Prince: Inside America's Most Violent Crime Family and the Bloody Fall of La Cosa Nostra. Phil Leonetti. 2014. ISBN 9780762456000. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
196. "Jury Finds Scarfo, 16 Others Guilty In Racketeering Case". AP NEWS. Lee Linder. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
197. "Hit man: Has a mobster found redemption?". CBS. March 17, 2013. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
198. "Thugs discard old rules in Philadelphia mob war". Baltimore Sun. Bill Glauber. September 21, 1993. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
199. "Philadelphia Braces for Increase in Mob Violence". The New York Times. NY TIMES. September 5, 1993. Archived from the original on July 7, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
200. "John-John Veasey Guest Lecturer At West Chester University". Philadelphia Trial Lawyers. Ralph Cipriano. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
201. "Shot in Head, Mobster Escapes Informer's Survival, Testimony Lead to Arrests of 12, Authorities Say". Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
202. "Brother of Phila. mob witness slain". UPI. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
203. "Brother of Mob Turncoat Is Gunned Down". Selwyn Raab. New York Times. October 6, 1995. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
204. The Hit Man: A True Story of Murder, Redemption and the Melrose Diner. Archived from the original on April 24, 2016. Retrieved May 16, 2018. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
205. "Reputed Mobsters to Face Their Own Words in Federal Racketeering Trial". AP NEWS. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
206. Cimino, Al (August 15, 2014). Mafia Files: Case Studies of the World's Most Evil Mobsters. Arcturus. ISBN 9781784043698. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
207. "INEPT MOBSTERS MADE BEST HITS AS WITNESSES". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on July 3, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
208. "PHILLY'S GOOFFELLAS MADE MESS OF MOB". Wayne Woolley. NY DAILY NEWS. November 26, 1995. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
209. "Former mobster John Veasey's life chronicled in new book". Philly.com. George Anastasia. February 14, 2012. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
210. "Witness Protection". MyCityPaper. Jim Barry. Archived from the original on December 27, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
211. "True or false? Ralph Natale was secretly initiated into Mafia by Bruno and Gambino". Philly Voice. George Anastasia. June 6, 2017. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
212. "'Dumbfellas' spell trouble for the mob". The Independent. Andrew Marshall. October 23, 2011. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
213. "Mob Turncoat Pleads Guilty". CBS. May 5, 2000. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
214. "THE SKINNY ON JOEY". The Trentonian. Michael Rubinkam. Archived from the original on October 9, 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
215. "Another Camden Mayor Convicted Of Mob-linked Corruption, Fraud". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
216. Last Don Standing: The Secret Life of Mob Boss Ralph Natale. ASIN 1250095875.
217. Father and son convicted of murder in restaurant massacre Associated Press (May 11, 1997) Archived February 25, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
218. Mafia boss makes deal to help feds United Press International (June 14, 2000) Archived August 13, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
219. Banned in Boston Jim Barry, My City Paper (June 7, 2001) Archived February 25, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
220. Notorious Boston mobster-turned-pastor has clues about Gardner heist Stephen Kurkjian and Shelley Murphy, The Boston Globe (July 26, 2016) Archived February 25, 2023, at the Wayback Machine
221. "METRO NEWS BRIEFS: NEW JERSEY; Organized Crime Figure Indicted in 2 Murders". The New York Times. New York Times. March 11, 2000. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
222. "LOSTFELLA STILL MAKES IMPACT ON MOB TRIAL". NY DAILY NEWS. John Marzulli. October 18, 2005. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
223. "Straight From the Horsehead's Mouth". Philadelphia Weekly. Ralph Cipriano. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
224. "Fascination with the mob goes beyond the Godfather". Baltimore Business Journal. Archived from the original on April 15, 2003. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
225. "William Dugan Slain in Diner Quarrel". The Philadelphia Inquirer. May 26, 1963. p. 31. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
226. "Clipped From Philadelphia Daily News". Philadelphia Daily News. April 7, 1990. p. 5. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
227. "5 NAMED IN KILLING OF TEAMSTER AIDE". The New York Times. September 1967. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
228. "Profile of Organized Crime, Mid-Atlantic Region: Hearings Before ..., Volume 4". Google books. 1983. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
229. "THE SKINNY ON JOEY". The Trentonian. March 31, 2001. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
230. Buccino, Bob (2016). New Jersey Mob: Memoirs of a Top Cop. Dorrance. p. Chapter 24. ISBN 9781480923782. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
231. "10 in Gang in Jersey Indicted in 5 Killings". The New York Times. November 30, 1973. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
232. "The Philadelphia Inquirer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · Page 18". Newspapers.com. December 22, 1994. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
233. Leonetti, Phil (2014). Mafia Prince: Inside America's Most Violent Crime Family and the Bloody Fall. Running Press. ISBN 9780762456000. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
234. Janson, Donald (February 17, 1978). "Atlantic City Murder of Ex-Judge Helfant Investigated for Links to Organized Crime". The New York Times. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
235. Sullivan, Joseph (April 10, 1987). "SCARFO INDICTED IN '78 SLAYING OF JERSEY JUDGE". The New York Times. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
236. "A waiter faces life in prison for the March..." UPI. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
237. "AROUND THE NATION; Philadelphia Waiter Held In Mob Leader's Death". The New York Times. June 11, 1982. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
238. "Roofers local 30. Two months after slaying of leader John J McCullough". The Philadelphia Inquirer. February 19, 1981. p. 15. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
239. "Suspect in Unionist's Killing Faces an Extradition Hearing". The New York Times. November 9, 1981. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
240. Robbins, William (March 20, 1981). "MORE VIOLENCE FEARED IN PHILADELPHIA CRIME FAMILY". The New York Times. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
241. "Slain mob boss' former home nominated as a landmark". NY POST. February 15, 2016. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
242. Reske, Henry. "Salvatore Testa, son of slain reputed mobster Philip 'Chicken..." UPI. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
243. "Alleged 'Greek Mob' don found shot to death". UPI. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
244. "Page 280. Profile of Organized Crime, Mid-Atlantic Region: Hearings Before ..., Volume 4". Google Books. 1983. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
245. "PHILADELPHIA'S UNDERWORLD WAR: 2 IN 'GREEK MOB' FALL". The New York Times. May 31, 1981. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
246. "MOB IN PHILADELPHIA IS CALLED 'FRAGMENTED' BY 11TH KILLING". The New York Times. January 13, 1982. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
247. "Woman 'never believed' friends were mobsters". UPI. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
248. "Philly mob - John Calabrese execution". The Philadelphia Inquirer. October 7, 1981. p. 9. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
249. "Reputed mobster Frank 'Chickie' Narducci, gunned down last week,..." UPI. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
250. "Clipped From Philadelphia Daily News". Philadelphia Daily News. February 5, 1982. p. 3. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
251. "United States v. Panetta, 436 F. Supp. 114 (E.D. Pa. 1977)". Justia US LAW. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
252. "DeVito found dead in Kenneth Arabia's trunk". Philadelphia Daily News. February 26, 1982. p. 3. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
253. Robbins, William (March 22, 1982). "PHILADELPHIA CRIME 'FAMILY' THRIVES AFTER TURMOIL". The New York Times. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
254. Robbins, William (October 29, 1984). "WITNESSES TESTIFY ABOUT MAFIA LIFE". The New York Times. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
255. "Com. v. Rico". Justia US LAW. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
256. "Ten alleged mobsters, among them the reputed godfather of..." UPI. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
257. "Philadelphia Daily News from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · Page 46". Newspapers.com. April 9, 1987. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
258. Robbins, William (December 28, 1983). "PHILADELPHIA UNDERWORLD AWAITS FELON'S RELEASE". The New York Times. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
259. "CRIME FIGURE'S SON SLAIN IN JERSEY". The New York Times. September 16, 1984. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
260. [://www.newspapers.com/clip/17613255/1985-02-10-murder-frank-forlini/ "Delco man found shot to death"]. The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved June 2, 2023. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
261. "1985-02-11 Mob hit - Frank Forlini". Philadelphia Daily News. February 11, 1985. p. 9. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
262. "carfo Among Nine Charged in Mob Figure's Slaying". AP News. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
263. "Manhunt for men wanted in mob killing". UPI. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
264. Belardo, Carolyn. "Mob figure dies in hail of bullets". UPI. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
265. "Murder Charges Dropped : New Ballistics Test Disproves LAPD Lab Results for 2nd Time". Los Angeles Times. August 31, 1989. Archived from the original on January 27, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
266. Constantine, Alex. "The Florida/Hollywood Mob Connection, the CIA and O.J. Simpson (SEGMENT)". MFC. Archived from the original on January 27, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
267. Profile of Organized Crime, Mid-Atlantic Region: Hearings Before the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Committee on Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, Ninety-eighth Congress, First Session, February 15, 23, and 24, 1983, Volume 4. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1983. p. 260. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
268. Organized Crime: 25 Years After Valachi : Hearings Before the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Committee on Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundredth Congress, Second Session, April 11, 15, 21, 22, 29, 1988. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1988. p. 1225. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
269. Robbins, William (October 29, 1984). "WITNESSES TESTIFY ABOUT MAFIA LIFE". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 27, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
270. Baram, Marcus. "Start Snitching: Inside the Witness Protection Program". ABC NEWS. Archived from the original on October 31, 2018. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
271. Cimino, Al (2014). Mafia Files: Case Studies of the World's Most Evil Mobsters. Arcturus. ISBN 9781784043698. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
272. "United States District Court, E.D. PennsylvaniaOct 11, 2000Criminal Action No. 99-0363-06 (E.D. Pa. Oct. 11, 2000)". Casetext. Archived from the original on January 27, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
273. Anthony, Ted. "Underboss' Brother Killed on South Philly Street; Second Man Injured". AP. Archived from the original on January 27, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
274. "Reputed Philadelphia mob boss on trial". UPI. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
275. Alite, John (2021). John Alite Mafia International: Gotti Enforcer for the Gambino Crime Family. Diamond Publishing Company. ISBN 9781955794077. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
276. "The Changing Face of ORGANIZED CRIME IN NEW JERSEY" (PDF). State of NJ. State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 17, 2016. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
277. Caparella, Kitty (September 18, 2008). "Mob snitch hits get-out-of-jail jackpot". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on January 28, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
278. Raab, Selwyn (October 6, 1995). "Brother of Mob Turncoat Is Gunned Down". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
279. Fallik, Dawn. "Brother of Mob Informant Slain in Philadelphia". AP. Archived from the original on January 28, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
280. Woolley, Wayne. "Turncoat Hit Man Takes Stand Week After Brother Shot Dead On Street". AP. Archived from the original on January 28, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
281. "Philly Mob Figure Acquitted of Murder". ABC NEWS. Archived from the original on January 24, 2014. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
282. "Jury Acquits Mob Figure of Murder, Conspiracy". The Los Angeles Times. March 9, 2004. Archived from the original on January 28, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
283. Dow, Paula. "Former Organized Crime Associate Pleads Guilty To Four Murders". njecpo. Archived from the original on January 28, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
284. "Defendant in Pa. Mob Plot Shot Dead". AP. Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
285. "Mob Trial Defendant Shot to Death". AP. Archived from the original on January 28, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
286. "Without Joey: Philly mob time line". The Philadelphia Inquirer. March 2, 2011. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
287. Hickey, Brian (June 10–16, 2004). "The Sleep Wit' the Fishes Tour". Philadelphia City Paper.
288. Anastasia, George (December 8, 2011). "Reputed S.J. mobster held without bail". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
289. "Jury Hangs On Uncle Joe, But Three Associates Guilty in Mob Trial". Pagno Law. February 5, 2013. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
290. Caparella, Kitty (January 24, 2007). "Meeting his pals costs mob figure". Meeting his pals costs mob figure. Archived from the original on January 28, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
291. "Reputed mobster killed". UPI. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
292. Bender, William (June 10, 2011). "The bookie and the Biq Squeeze". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
293. Anastasia, George. "Nicodemo Gets 25-50 Years For DiPietro Murder". Big Trial. Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
294. Stamm, Dan (December 14, 2012). "Man Charged With Mob-Related Murder". NBC PHILADELPHIA. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2020.

Further reading

• Anastasia, George. Blood and Honor: Inside the Scarfo Mob, the Mafia's Most Violent Family. 2004, ISBN 0940159864
• Anastasia, George. Goodfella Tapes.
• Anastasia, George. The Last Gangster.
• Jenkins, Philip, and Gary Potter. "The politics and mythology of organized crime: a Philadelphia case-study." Journal of Criminal Justice 15.6 (1987): 473-484.
• Morello, Celeste Anne. Book One Before Bruno: The History of the Mafia and La Cosa Nostra in Philadelphia. Publication date: Apr 28, 2000, ISBN 9780967733418
• Morello, Celeste Anne. Book Two Before Bruno: The History of the Philadelphia Mafia, 1931-1946. Publication date: Nov 28, 2001, ISBN 9780967733425
• Morello, Celeste Anne. Book Three Before Bruno and How He Became Boss: The History of the Philadelphia Mafia, Book 3—1946–1959. Publication date: Aug 28, 2005, ISBN 9780977053209
• Salerno, Joseph. The Plumber: The True Story of how One Good Man Helped Destroy the Entire Philadelphia Mafia (Knightsbridge, 1990).
• Wagman, Robert J. Blood Oath.

External links

• "Hitting the Hit Men Even alleged killers can be beaten up by a gang of thugs" by Brendan McGarvey Archived June 13, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
• IPSN: The Philadelphia/Atlantic City Mob Archived November 27, 2006, at the Wayback Machine